U.S. patent application number 10/759625 was filed with the patent office on 2004-07-29 for database searching device and method.
Invention is credited to Gardiner, James L..
Application Number | 20040148282 10/759625 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32738339 |
Filed Date | 2004-07-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040148282 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gardiner, James L. |
July 29, 2004 |
Database searching device and method
Abstract
A device and method for searching databases of cemetery records
use a graphical user interface to display to a user a
representation of the records arranged to reflect the relative
location of graves to which the biographical information contained
in the records pertains. The graphical user interface may display
an alphabetical list of names of deceased individuals contained
within the records as well as digital photos and digital video of
headstones. Records may be accessed according to cemetery, in
alphabetical order. Records may also be accessed by viewing a
representation such as an image of a gravestone, and other records
may be accessed according to the location of the graves.
Inventors: |
Gardiner, James L.; (Oregon
City, OR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KUNZLER & ASSOCIATES
8 EAST BROADWAY
SALT LAKE CITY
UT
84111
US
|
Family ID: |
32738339 |
Appl. No.: |
10/759625 |
Filed: |
January 15, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60440809 |
Jan 17, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 ;
707/999.003; 707/E17.018 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 16/29 20190101 |
Class at
Publication: |
707/003 |
International
Class: |
G06F 007/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A device for accessing cemetery records, the device comprising:
a database containing records, the records including biographical
information of deceased individuals; and a graphical user interface
module configured to display to a user a representation of the
records arranged to reflect the relative locations of the graves to
which the records correspond.
2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a display module
configured to provide an alphabetical list of names of deceased
individuals contained within the database of records to a user.
3. The device of claim 1, further comprising a grave image module
configured to provide digital representations of the graves to a
user.
4. The device of claim 1, further comprising a global positioning
system module configured to provide the geographical coordinates of
individual graves to a user.
5. The device of claim 1, wherein the database of records further
comprises the names of cemeteries.
6. The device of claim 3, further comprising a password protected
website configured to provide the digital representations contained
within the grave image module to a user.
7. The device of claim 1, further comprising a name module
configured to access the records using the name of a deceased
individual.
8. The device of claim 1, further comprising a cemetery module
configured to access the records using the name of a cemetery.
9. The device of claim 1, further comprising a location module
configured to access the records using a geographical location of a
cemetery.
10. The device of claim 1, further comprising a sound module
configured to perform a phonetic search on a name of an
individual.
11. A method for accessing cemetery records, the method comprising:
providing a database of records, the records including biographical
information of deceased individuals; and displaying to a user a
representation of the records arranged to reflect the relative
location of the graves to which the records correspond.
12. The method of claim 11, further comprising displaying an
alphabetical list of names of deceased individuals to a user.
13. The method of claim 11, further comprising providing digital
images of graves to a user.
14. The method of claim 11, further comprising providing the
geographical coordinates of a grave to a user.
15. The method of claim 11, wherein displaying a representation of
the records further comprising accessing a GUI module through a
website.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein accessing a GUI module further
comprises providing a password protected website.
17. The method of claim 11, further comprising accessing a GUI
module through a computer readable device.
18. The method of claim 11, further comprising performing a
phonetic search on a name of an individual.
19. The method of claim 11, further comprising creating a
geographical map of a cemetery.
20. A method for accessing cemetery records, the method comprising:
providing a database of records, the records including biographical
information of deceased individuals; displaying to a user a
representation of the records arranged to reflect the relative
locations of graves to which the records correspond; providing an
alphabetical list of names of deceased individuals contained in the
records to a user; providing digital representations of the graves
to a user, wherein displaying the representation of the records is
conducted using a graphical user interface accessible through a
password protected website.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a Continuation of and claims priority to
U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/440,809 filed on
Jan. 17, 2003.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates to devices and methods for improving
genealogy searches, and more particularly, relates to devices and
methods for searching a database of cemetery records.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Genealogy is often explained as family history research, or
by the more popular expression: tracing your roots. Ancient and
modem societies have kept track of lines of ancestors either by
memorizing them or by writing them down in order to pass them on to
future generations.
[0006] Genealogy has become a leisure activity practiced by
hundreds of thousands of people in practically every part of the
world. Due to technological advances, such as the Internet,
genealogical information available to the public has increased
dramatically. Some websites on the Internet provide historical
information while others may have records such as census, birth,
marriage, and death records.
[0007] Often, people become discouraged when searching for
information pertaining to their ancestors on the Internet because
of incomplete records. There may be uncertainty about the location
or cemetery where a certain individual is buried, or there may be
incomplete information about the deceased individual within the
cemetery database. Still, a person may find information regarding
one ancestor, but fail to retrieve information regarding other
ancestors buried in close proximity, because the person searching
for genealogical information was not aware of the ancestors' names
and could not perform a detailed search.
[0008] Viewing photos of headstones allows a person searching for
genealogical information to discover if other names besides the
name of the deceased individual are listed on the headstone.
Furthermore, viewing photos of surrounding headstones also
facilitates the person searching for genealogical information to
potentially discover additional ancestors buried near an
individual. Often a person does not know the exact name or spelling
of a deceased ancestor. By viewing surrounding headstones, the
person may discover alternate spellings or names of potential
ancestors.
[0009] Persons engaged in genealogical research often are unable to
physically travel to the actual cemetery. It would be beneficial to
provide a device and method that would allow the person to search
the database of cemetery records as if the person were physically
present at the cemetery. Furthermore, it would be beneficial to
allow the person to view images of the cemetery and headstones
arranged in the same order as they appear within the cemetery.
[0010] What is needed is a device and method that allows a user to
search databases of cemetery records. Beneficially, such a device
and method would allow a user to view photos of headstones in the
same arrangement as they are found within the cemetery.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The present invention has been developed in response to the
present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the
problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solved
by currently available searching devices. Accordingly, the present
invention has been developed to provide a device and method for
searching cemetery records that overcome many or all of the
above-discussed shortcomings in the art.
[0012] The searching device is provided with a logic unit
containing a plurality of modules configured to functionally
execute the necessary steps of searching cemetery records.
[0013] The device, in one embodiment, is configured to provide to a
user a database containing records that include biographical
information of deceased individuals. The database may include names
of cemeteries. Biographical information may include the date of
birth, date of death, date of marriage, and the like.
[0014] The device is further configured, in one embodiment, to
include a graphical user interface (GUI) module configured to
display to a user a representation of the records arranged to
reflect the relative locations of graves to which the records
correspond.
[0015] In a further embodiment, the device includes a display
module configured to provide an alphabetical list of names of
deceased individuals contained within the database of cemetery
records to a user.
[0016] The device is further configured, in one embodiment, to
include a grave image module configured to display digital
representations, such as digital photos and digital video, of
individual headstones to a user. In one embodiment, the
representations of the headstones are arranged in the same order as
that of the actual cemetery. The device may also include a password
protected website configured to display the digital representations
contained within the grave image module to a user.
[0017] The device may also include a name module configured to
access the records using the name of a deceased individual. The
name module facilitates a user to obtain the biographical
information of a deceased individual by providing the name of the
deceased person. The device further includes a cemetery module
configured to access the records using the name of a particular
cemetery. The cemetery module facilitates a user to obtain the
names of deceased individuals contained within the records of a
certain cemetery. The device may also include a location module
that facilitates a user to access the records of cemeteries located
within a certain geographical location.
[0018] In a further embodiment, the website may include a global
positioning system (GPS) module configured to provide the
geographical coordinates of individual headstones to a user. The
GPS module allows a user to obtain the exact physical location of a
certain headstone or burial plot.
[0019] In a further embodiment, the device may include a sound
module that facilitates a phonetic search to be performed on a
name. The name may be of a deceased individual, cemetery, or
geographical location such as a state, county, district, and the
like.
[0020] A method of the present invention is also presented for
accessing cemetery records. The method in the disclosed embodiments
substantially includes the steps necessary to carry out the
functions presented above with respect to the operation of the
described device. In one embodiment, the method includes providing
a database of records that include biographical information of
deceased individuals to a user. The method may also include
displaying to a user a representation of the records arranged to
reflect the relative locations of graves to which the records
correspond.
[0021] The method, in one embodiment, may also include accessing
the representation of the records through a website. In one
embodiment, accessing the representations may be conducted using a
graphical user interface accessible through a password protected
website. In a further embodiment, accessing a GUI module may
include providing a computer readable device such as a CD-ROM.
[0022] In one embodiment, the method may include displaying an
alphabetical list of names of deceased individuals to a user. The
alphabetical list facilitates a user to view the names contained in
the database records of a cemetery.
[0023] The method also may include displaying a digital image of
graves to a user. In a further embodiment, the method includes
providing the geographical coordinates of a headstone to a user.
The geographical coordinates facilitate creating a geographical map
of a cemetery through a GUI module. The geographical map allows a
user to view the placement and arrangement of headstones in a
cemetery.
[0024] Reference throughout this specification to features,
advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of the
features and advantages that may be realized with the present
invention should be or are in any single embodiment of the
invention. Rather, language referring to the features and
advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature,
advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an
embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present
invention. Thus, discussion of the features and advantages, and
similar language, throughout this specification may, but do not
necessarily, refer to the same embodiment.
[0025] Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and
characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable
manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art
will recognize that the invention can be practiced without one or
more of the specific features or advantages of a particular
embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages
may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in
all embodiments of the invention.
[0026] These features and advantages of the present invention will
become more fully apparent from the following description and
appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention
as set forth hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] In order that the advantages of the invention will be
readily understood, a more particular description of the invention
briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific
embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings.
Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments
of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be
limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and
explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of
the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0028] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating one
embodiment of a device for accessing cemetery records in accordance
with the present invention;
[0029] FIG. 1a is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of a
name module of the present invention;
[0030] FIG. 1b is a graphical illustration of a display containing
a GUI display with links to sectors of a graveyard according to one
embodiment of the invention;
[0031] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of a
typical display of the selections of the present invention;
[0032] FIG. 2a is a graphical illustration of a GUI display
illustrating an arrangement of graves in a sector of a graveyard
according to one embodiment of the invention;
[0033] FIG. 3 is an enlarged version illustrating one embodiment of
a typical display selected from FIG. 2;
[0034] FIG. 3a is a graphical illustration of a display containing
a GUI display of specific information pertaining to a selected
headstone according to one embodiment of the invention;
[0035] FIG. 4 is a schematic flow chart diagram illustrating one
embodiment of an access method in accordance with the present
invention;
[0036] FIG. 5 is a schematic flow chart illustrating one embodiment
of a login method in accordance with the present invention;
[0037] FIG. 5a is a schematic flow chart illustrating one
embodiment of a search method in accordance with the present
invention;
[0038] FIG. 5b is a schematic flow chart illustrating a second
embodiment of a search method in accordance with the present
invention;
[0039] FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of a
feedback module in accordance with the present invention;
[0040] FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of an
orientation worksheet in accordance with the present invention;
and
[0041] FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of a
virtual cemetery map in accordance with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0042] Many of the functional units described in this specification
have been labeled as modules, in order to more particularly
emphasize their implementation independence. For example, a module
may be implemented as a hardware circuit comprising custom VLSI
circuits or gate arrays, off-the-shelf semiconductors such as logic
chips, transistors, or other discrete components. A module may also
be implemented in programmable hardware devices such as field
programmable gate arrays, programmable array logic, programmable
logic devices or the like.
[0043] Modules may also be implemented in software for execution by
various types of processors. An identified module of executable
code may, for instance, comprise one or more physical or logical
blocks of computer instructions which may, for instance, be
organized as an object, procedure, or function. Nevertheless, the
executables of an identified module need not be physically located
together, but may comprise disparate instructions stored in
different locations which, when joined logically together, comprise
the module and achieve the stated purpose for the module.
[0044] Indeed, a module of executable code could be a single
instruction, or many instructions, and may even be distributed over
several different code segments, among different programs, and
across several memory devices. Similarly, operational data may be
identified and illustrated herein within modules, and may be
embodied in any suitable form and organized within any suitable
type of data structure. The operational data may be collected as a
single data set, or may be distributed over different locations
including over different storage devices, and may exist, at least
partially, merely as electronic signals on a system or network.
[0045] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment,"
"an embodiment," or similar language means that a particular
feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with
the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the
present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one
embodiment," "in an embodiment," and similar language throughout
this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the
same embodiment.
[0046] Furthermore, the described features, structures, or
characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable
manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description,
numerous specific details are provided, such as examples of
programming, software modules, user selections, network
transactions, database queries, database structures, hardware
modules, hardware circuits, hardware chips, etc., to provide a
thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled
in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention can
be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with
other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other
instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not
shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the
invention.
[0047] FIG. 1 depicts a device 100 for accessing cemetery records.
The device 100 facilitates a user to access a database of records
102 to obtain biographical information regarding deceased
individuals located at a cemetery. In one embodiment, the database
102 includes a name module 104. The name module 104 allows a user
to access the database 102 by means of submitting a name of a
deceased individual. The name module 104 may comprise a computer
field within a computer program, website, and the like. A graphical
user interface (GUI) module 116 displays the names contained in the
database 102 that a user submitted through the name module 104. The
GUI module 116 may display the names contained in the database 102
to a user by means of a free access website 118, a password
protected website, and a computer readable device 122 such as a
CD-ROM.
[0048] In a further embodiment, the database 102 further includes a
grave image module 106. The grave image module 106 facilitates
displaying to a user digital photos and digital videos of graves,
headstones, tombstones, and the like to a user by means of the GUI
module 116. In one embodiment, the images contained in the grave
image module 106 are displayed to a user by means of the password
protected website 120.
[0049] The database 102 may further include a location module 110
that facilitates a user to access the database 102 of cemeteries
located in a certain geographical location. The location module 110
may include a computer field that allows a user to enter a
geographical location and access the database 102 of records of
cemeteries located in the submitted region.
[0050] In a further embodiment, the database 102 may further
include a sound module 112 that performs a phonetic search on a
name submitted by a user by means of the name module 104. The sound
module 112 displays to a user by means of the GUI module 116
alternative spellings of names submitted by a user in the name
module 104.
[0051] In an alternative embodiment, a user may enter the name of a
particular cemetery through a cemetery module 108. The cemetery
module 108 facilitates a user to access the database 102 of a
certain cemetery and may also comprise a computer field where a
user may enter the name of the cemetery. The GUI module 116 may
display the names contained in the database 102 of the particular
cemetery submitted by a user.
[0052] FIG. 1a depicts list of names 124 which may be contained in
the database 102 of a particular cemetery and may be displayed
alphabetically by means of the free access website 118, the
password protected website 120, and the computer readable device
122. The biographical information 126 pertaining to each individual
listed in the name list 124 may also be displayed to a user. The
biographical information 126 may include the date of birth, death,
marriage, and the like. In a further embodiment, the headstone
information 128 pertaining to each individual may also be displayed
to a user. The headstone information 128 may include messages
inscribed on the headstone of the individual.
[0053] In one embodiment, a name listed in the name list 124 may
include a link to access information such as a website 118 and 120.
For example, if a user clicks on the name, "Alexander, Daniel"
listed in the name list 124, the GUI module 116 may display to a
user a digital photo and digital video through the grave image
module 106 of the grave and headstone of "Alexander, Daniel."
[0054] FIG. 1b illustrates one embodiment of a representative
example of a graphical display 150 of a logical layout of a
graveyard. Links are provided to sectors of a graveyard A user may
select a link to view the arrangement of graves in a sector, as
shown in FIG. 2a below.
[0055] FIG. 2 illustrates a typical headstone display 200 that
might be accessed to a user by means of the GUI module 116. In one
embodiment, the GUI module 116 provides the display 200 by means of
a password protected website 120. The website 120 includes pointers
204 that facilitate a user to scroll up and down, as well as right
and left within the website 120. The pointers 204 may be accessed
to scroll within the website 120 through use of a computer mouse,
keyboard, and the like.
[0056] The website 120 may further include a center image 202
located in the center of the website 120. In one embodiment, the
center image 202 is accessed from the grave image module 106 and
displayed to a user by means of the GUI module 116. The center
image 202 may include an image of a headstone, grave, tombstone,
and the like. In one embodiment, the center image 202 is the image
of the headstone of an individual's name selected from the name
list 124 as described in FIG. 1a. For example, if a user selects
the name "Alexander, Daniel" from the name list 124, the center
image 202 displayed to a user may be an image of the headstone of
"Alexander, Daniel."
[0057] In a further embodiment, the biographical information 126
pertaining to the center image 202 may be displayed to a user. The
biographical information 126 may include the date of birth, death,
marriage, and the like and may be displayed directly below the
center image 202.
[0058] The website 120 may also include one or more adjacent images
208. In one embodiment, the adjacent images 208 are images of
headstones, graves, tombstones, and the like. The adjacent images
208 may be accessed from the grave image module 106 and displayed
to a user by means of the GUI module 116. The adjacent images 208
with respect to the center image 202 may be arranged to reflect the
location of the graves, headstones, tombstones, and the like as
they are arranged in an actual cemetery. Biographical information
126 pertaining to each adjacent image 208 may be placed below each
adjacent image 208. This facilitates a user to view the center
image 202 and adjacent images 208 in the same arrangement as they
are located at a cemetery. This allows a user to possibly discover
important biographical information 126 pertaining to other
individuals. For example, if a user wishes to obtain biographical
information 126 pertaining to the deceased individual of the center
image 202, the user may discover relatives of the deceased
individual in the center image 202 through biographical information
126 of the adjacent images 208.
[0059] In one embodiment, the center images 202, the adjacent
images 208, and the biographical information 126 listed below each
image is a link. A user may click on the center image 202, one of
the adjacent images 208, and biographical information 126 and a
pop-up menu may appear containing several options with a user. A
user may click on a link with a computer mouse, keyboard, and the
like. In one embodiment, a user may have an option to zoom in and
view the center image 202 and adjacent images 208. In a second
embodiment, a user has an option to print the center image 202 and
one of the adjacent images 208. A user may further view an enlarged
image 300 of the center image 202 and adjacent images 208 as shown
in FIG. 3. The enlarged image 300 may be displayed to a user by
means of a GUI module 116. In one embodiment, the enlarged image
300 may be displayed to a user by means of the password protected
website 120.
[0060] The display 200 further includes a cemetery link 210. A user
may click on the cemetery link 210 and, in one embodiment, the user
is displayed a virtual map 800 of a cemetery as shown in FIG. 8.
The virtual map 800 may be displayed to a user by means of the GUI
module 116 as described in FIG. 1.
[0061] FIG. 2a illustrates a representative example of a graphical
display 250 of a sector of a graveyard. The sector may be accessed
using the screen of FIG. 1b. Clicking on a representation of a
gravestone will allow a user to view information pertaining to the
gravestone, as shown in one example in FIG. 3a.
[0062] Reference is now made to FIG. 3. The enlarged image 300 of
the center image 202 or one of the adjacent images 208 is displayed
to a user. In one embodiment, the enlarged image 300 is displayed
to a user by means of a password protected website 120 within the
GUI module 116. The enlarged image 300 may include a link to
additional information. For example, if a user clicks on the
enlarged image 300 with a computer mouse, keyboard, and the like, a
pop-up menu may be displayed to the user with various options. The
options displayed to a user may include options to view the
enlarged image 300 at different angles. This facilitates a user to
view the enlarged image 300 from the side, front, and back. Often
times biographical information 126 may be contained on the side,
front, and back of the enlarged image 300. A user may also have an
option to print the enlarged image 300. FIG. 3a illustrates a
graphical display 350 illustrating representative information that
may be shown when a user selects to view more information about a
headstone. For example, clicking on the headstone for David and
Mary Harris in FIG. 2a may result in the display of FIG. 3a in one
embodiment.
[0063] FIG. 4 illustrates an accessing cemetery records method 400.
The method 400 begins 402 by a user accessing 404 the GUI module
116. The GUI module 116 may be accessed through a password
protected website 120. After a user accesses 404 the GUI module
116, the user may access data 406 by means of the database of
records 102. The user may then search 408 the database of records
102. The user may search 408 by entering names of deceased
individuals, cemeteries, and the like in a computer field located
within the password protected website 120.
[0064] The accessing method 400 proceeds to display names 410 to a
user. The display 410 may include the name list 124, biographical
information 126, and headstone information 128. The display 410 may
also include names of cemeteries accessed through the cemetery
module 108 described in FIG. 1. A user may select a name from the
name list 124 and the method 400 proceeds to display images 412.
The images may include images of graves, headstones, tombstones,
and the like by means of the grave image module 106. The images may
include the center image 202 and adjacent images 208 arranged to
reflect the same relative locations of as the graves are located at
a cemetery.
[0065] After images have been displayed to a user, the method 400
continues to generate 414 geographical coordinates of the displayed
image. The geographical coordinates are generated 414 by means of
the position module 114 as described in FIG. 1. The method 400
proceeds to create 416 a geographical map of a cemetery and the
method 400 ends 418. In one embodiment, the geographical map is the
virtual map 800 describe in FIG. 8.
[0066] FIG. 5 illustrates a login method 500 of the present
invention. The login method 500 maybe executed in accordance with
the password protected website 120 within the GUI module 116. A
user accesses the password protected website 120 on the Internet. A
member login module 502 facilitates to determine is a user is a
registered member of the password protected website by means of a
member step 520. If a user is a registered member, the user enters
522 a username and password. A member login step 534 determines if
the username and password were entered correctly and if the user
has successfully logged onto the password protected website 120. If
the user successfully logs onto the website 120, the method 500
proceeds to a step 536, which accesses and displays a search module
506 described in FIG. 5a.
[0067] If a user is determined not to be a registered member of the
password protected website at the member step 520, a subscription
display 526 is displayed to the user. In one embodiment, the
subscription display 526 is a website. The subscription display 526
may comprise computer fields that facilitate a user to enter a
name, password, email address, and a payment preference such as a
credit card number, bank account number for automatic withdrawal of
payment, and the like. In one embodiment, the name entered
functions as a username for the user.
[0068] The login method 500 proceeds to display a checkout display
528 to a user. In one embodiment, the checkout display 528 is a
website that provides the user an opportunity to confirm the
payment preference entered in the computer field within the
subscription display 526. Payment is then processed at a payment
processed step 530 and the information pertaining to the user is
entered into the database of the password protected website 120 at
a member added step 532. In one embodiment, the member login method
500 proceeds to send an email to the user at a confirmation step
537. The confirmation step 537 facilitates a user to review the
name, password, and the like the user previously entered within the
subscription display 526. The method 500 proceeds to determine if
the user is a registered member at the member login step 534. If
the user successfully accesses the password protected website 120
at the login step 534, the method 500 proceeds to the step 536 to
display to the user the search module 506 described in FIG. 5a.
[0069] FIG. 5a illustrates a search method 501 that includes the
search module 506 that facilitates a user to search the database of
records 102 as described in FIG. 1. In one embodiment, the search
module 506 is located within the password protected website 120. In
a second embodiment, the search module 506 is located within the
free access website 118.
[0070] The search module 506 allows a user to enter a name of an
individual that is deceased. In one embodiment, the name is entered
in a computer field located within the search module 506. The user
may also enter a geographical location such as a name of a
cemetery. Entering a geographical location narrows the search of
the deceased individual to the database of records 102 located
within the entered geographical location. The search module 506
further facilitates a user to search the database 102 for the exact
spelling of the deceased individual's name and exact spelling of
the geographical location entered.
[0071] The login method 500 proceeds to a progress indicator step
538. The indicator step 538 may inform the user of the progress of
the search executed by the search module 506. The method 501
continues to determine if the name of a deceased individual and the
name of the geographical location match a name and geographical
location within the database 102 at a match step 540. If the search
does not provide a successful match at the match step 540, the user
is provided with the option to modify the search at a modify search
step 544. The modify search step 544 facilitates a user to search
for a different name of a deceased individual and a different
geographical location. If the user elects not to perform a modified
search, the member login module 502 is accessed as described in
FIG. 5.
[0072] If a match is successful at the match step 540, the method
501 proceeds to display a list of matches to the user at a return
step 542. In one embodiment, the list of matches may comprise the
list of names 124 with corresponding biographical information 126
and headstone information 128 as described in FIG. 1a. The method
501 continues to determine if the user is a registered member of
the password protected website 120 at the login step 534. If the
user successfully logs into the password protected website 120 at
the login step 534, the method 500 proceeds to access the display
200 as described in FIG. 2. If the login step 534 determines the
user is not a registered member, the method 501 proceeds to access
the subscription display 526 as described in FIG. 5.
[0073] Once the search module 506 executes a search, a location
tracker 548 records the geographical locations entered by the user
within the computer fields located within the search module 506.
The location tracker 548 facilitates to send a location report 550
to a Webmaster of the free access website 118 and the password
protected website 120. In one embodiment, the location report 550
contains a history of geographical locations that have been entered
within the search module 506.
[0074] FIG. 5b illustrates a second embodiment of the search method
501 that includes a states module 508 that facilitates a user to
search for names of cemeteries located in a specific state of the
United States of America. A user selects a specific state from a
list of states within the states module 508. The method 501
proceeds to display a state display 552 to the user. In one
embodiment, the state display 552 is a website with a list of
counties located within the specific state. A user may select a
specific county located within a state and the method 501 continues
to display a county display 554 to the user. In one embodiment, the
county display 554 is a website that contains a list of cemeteries
located within the specified county. The location tracker 548
records each state, county, and cemetery selected by the user and
sends the location report 550 to a Webmaster.
[0075] Once the user has selected the specific state, county, and
cemetery, the login step 534 determines if the user is a registered
member of the password protected website 120. If the user is
determined to not be a registered member, the method 501 proceeds
to access the subscription display 526 as described in FIG. 5. If
the login step 534 determines that the user is a registered member,
the method 501 proceeds to access the database 102 of the specified
cemetery and may display to the user the list of names 124
pertaining to the database 102 as described in FIG. 1a.
[0076] Referring now to FIG. 6, a creative comer module 600 is
illustrated. In one embodiment, the creative comer module 600 is
located within the free access website 118 and the password
protected website 120. The creative comer module 600 may comprise a
creative photographs link 602. The creative link 602 facilitates a
user to access photographs of headstones, cemeteries, and scenery
images surrounding the headstones and cemeteries. The module 600
may further comprise a customer testimonial link 604. The
testimonial link 604 allows a user to access customer testimonials
that may include comments from registered members of the password
protected website 120. The creative module 600 may further include
a newsletter link 606 that facilitates a user to access a
newsletter that may comprise tips and suggestions on searching
databases of cemetery records 102.
[0077] FIG. 7 illustrates a cemetery orientation worksheet 700. In
one embodiment, the worksheet 700 facilitates data entry clerks of
the password protected website 120 to maintain the database 102
current. The worksheet 700 may further facilitate photographers to
submit photographs of headstones and cemeteries to the data entry
clerks of the password protected website 120. The worksheet 700 may
include digital photos and digital video of headstones located
within a cemetery. The worksheet 700 allows the photos of the
headstones to be arranged in the same relative locations of as they
appear in the cemetery.
[0078] The worksheet 700 may be arranged in multiple quadrants 702.
In one embodiment, each quadrant 702 includes several computer
fields 708. Each computer field 708 may include a photo number
field 704. The photo number may correspond to the number found on a
digital camera when the digital photo of a headstone was taken. The
photo number may then be entered in the photo number field 704. The
photo number may facilitate to provide a unique identifying number
obtained through Global Positioning System (GPS) technology. The
unique identifying number may provide the geographical coordinates
of a particular headstone within a cemetery.
[0079] Names of individuals 706 that appear on a headstone may be
entered into different computer fields 708 within the same quadrant
702. The names 706 entered into each computer field 702 facilitate
to create a virtual map 800 of a cemetery.
[0080] FIG. 8 illustrates one embodiment of the virtual map 800 of
a cemetery. The map 800 may include photos of headstones located in
various quadrants of the cemetery such as quadrant one 804,
quadrant two 806, quadrant three 808, and quadrant four 810. The
photos of the headstones in the various quadrants may comprise
computer links. The quadrants listed in the map may correspond to
the quadrants 702 described in FIG. 7.
[0081] The virtual map 800 may further include a navigator 814. In
one embodiment, the navigator 814 may be a computer mouse, cursor,
and the like. The user may move the navigator 814 over the link of
the desired quadrant and the user may then access the photos of the
headstones located in the specified quadrant.
[0082] The present invention may be embodied in other specific
forms without departing from its spirit or essential
characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in
all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of
the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims
rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come
within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be
embraced within their scope.
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